The ambitious Bhopal Metro rail project is back on track with the first phase of construction underway. Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) officials said the construction work has restarted in keeping with COVID-19 protocol.
“Thirty per cent of the workforce has been deployed, as per government guidelines. Construction work has begun in three locations, near AIIMS Bhopal, Subhash Nagar and the casting yard at Kanhasaiyan, for girders.
We expect to cover up for the lost time,” said a senior MPMRCL official. The Rs 7000 crore project was halted in March. The main Metro depot is to be constructed along Arera Hills (Stud Farm) area. The first corridor to be commissioned under Metro Project would be from Subhash Nagar to AIIMS Bhopal.
“Some of the workforce has not returned and there are restrictions in keeping with COVID-19 protocols and safety reasons. The lockdown period was utilised for resolving planning and design issues,” the official added.
For swift construction, much of the components are readied off-site and placed once the pillars are constructed. According to reports, Line-2 of Bhopal Metro’s Phase I project is expected to be completed as per the new timeline.
Part of package-01 (Subhash Nagar to AIIMS Bhopal) is the first section of Metro and about 15 km in length. The Rs 250-crore phase I began in October 2018 and was to be originally completed in 27 months. Stations en-route are expected to be located at Subhash Nagar, KV1, MP Nagar I and II, Habibganj railway station and AIIMS Bhopal.